Things I Keep in my Classroom That Make it Feel Like a Second Home

Classroom

Jul 29

Let’s face it: as teachers, we spend a lot of time in our classrooms! We may as well have it feeling like home and as comfortable as possible. Plus, I think if our students see how much we enjoy being in our room, they’ll be happy to be there too.

Here are a few things I keep in my room that keep it feeling like a second home.

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Electric Kettle

I started keeping a small electric kettle (this one is great!) for the kiddos who brought cup noodles for lunch. And it turns out I loved it. So I kept one for myself to use too. Tea, hot chocolate, my own noodles - the possibilities are endless when one has a kettle on their side.

Tea Bags

I keep an assortment of herbal tea bags because some days I just need a little hug in a mug to keep me going and to keep me warm. I’m seriously always cold it seems. Plus, it adds a sweet aroma to the air when I make a cup. My students go especially nuts when I make up a cinnamon tea - they love the smell! I also keep a small container of honey with it too. I don’t drink coffee so this is perfect for me.

Ibuprofen/Pain Killer

There are days when you just need a pain killer and need it fast. For that, I always keep a bottle of ibuprofen in my teacher toolbox (I like these travel sized ones).

Snacks. Okay, and Chocolate.

Some days lunch is a little meager or you have to run out without breakfast in your body. Or maybe a student comes in grumpy because they don’t have any breakfast in their body. Snacks are always a good thing to have on hand. Granola bars that are lower in sugar are great for this. But when you do need some sugar - chocolate is always a great idea :) (I also love these protein bars that only have 5g of sugar!)

Personalized Mug

I keep a mug that goes with my classroom theme in my classroom. It’s there when I need to use it, plus it makes my desk look cozier, wouldn’t you agree? Bonus, if a current student gave it to me, it shows them that I really appreciated their gift. I go weeks where I’ll rotate mugs given as gifts so everyone feels loved.

Personal Toiletries

Hand lotion, lip chap, floss - even a stick of deodorant for those days you have to meet last-minute with someone. Because it happens. And no one likes being around a stinky person amirite? I keep these in my teacher toolbox so they are always on hand.

Real Plants

Nothing says home and comfortable to me like a real live plant. I love plants even though I’m not that great at keeping them alive. Plants are great for air quality, make for some nature in the classroom, and also have the potential to help students learn to care for living things.